The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for the upcoming 2026 NFL season. San Francisco has completed its preseason slate of games. And now it’s time to make the final roster cuts before their Week 1 contest.
However, a lot of attention on this team has been pulled away from the team itself. Owner Jed York was arrested in Ohio earlier this month, in a turn of events that has only added to the off-field discourse surrounding the franchise.
It’s unclear what action the NFL will take against York in the aftermath, but one former NFL player believes the league should come down hard on the Niners owner’s arrest.
Ryan Clark Urges NFL To Take 49ers Away From Jed York
In an appearance on his “Pivot” podcast, former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark discussed York’s arrest and the ramifications of it all. Clark used this opportunity to advocate for harsh punishment for the 49ers’ owner.
“When you’re speaking of billionaires, it’s hard to put an amount of money on a way to hurt them. But take that team away. Don’t allow them to sit in those stands. Take the amount of money they’re supposed to earn from their equity within the league and the collective bargaining agreement away,” Clark said.
The NFL should hold owners to an even higher standard of accountability than players—including 49ers’ owner Jed York. Playing in the NFL is a privilege; so is owning an NFL team. The sacrifices may be different, but the responsibility to protect the shield is the same.
The NFL… pic.twitter.com/A9HRc9quRN
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25)
York was arrested in East Palestine, Ohio, last Sunday as part of a prostitution sting.
According to an affidavit, the 49ers owner responded to an ad for prostitution services that was posted by a member of the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. York allegedly arranged for sexual favors in exchange for $140.
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Initially, the 49ers owner was charged with engaging in prostitution. However, this was changed to a charge of disorderly conduct through his plea agreement. York was also charged with a misdemeanor count of possessing criminal tools.
York came to own the 49ers through his family. In 2008, he became CEO of the franchise. In his time as CEO, the 49ers have appeared in three Super Bowls. However, they have not won any of them.
The 49ers are coming off a relatively successful 2025 season. San Francisco made the playoffs and won a game. Unfortunately for them, they fell short of winning the Super Bowl after being knocked out by the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round.
The 49ers begin their 2026 regular season on September 10 in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams.
